What’s Already Happened?

2017 click here to hide events from 2017

Saturday
16th December

Festive Table Top SaleSt.James’ Park hosted a special Festive Table Top Sale.

Saturday
9th December

Volunteer EventFoSJP invited all our volunteers – past, present, or future – to join us in the ParkLife Community Room for a festive celebration of all that we achieved in 2017, with team updates and seasonal music, accompanied by home‑baked goods, mulled wine, and hot drinks.

Park Days
As part of the ParkLivesHealthy Living initiative, Active Nation! organised a series of FREE Summer Holiday Park Days in St.James’ Park, with FREE activities for all the family, such as rounders, kabaddi, boccia, football, tennis, badminton, and dodgeball.

Sunday
16th July

International Family Day
As part of Bringing Families Together,a Lottery‑funded initiative, FoSJP organised an International Family Day at St.James’ Park on a sunny Sunday in July.Hundreds of people flooded in to enjoy a wide range of entertainment from choirs to belly dancing, international food stalls, and a wide range of vendors and free activities. The atmosphere on the day was fantastic – a perfect day in the Park and showing again what a great public resource we have.As always, a lot of hard work went into creating the event: special thanks to Hilde Gronsberg and her Events team, and to all our volunteers a big hug and thanks – we couldn’t do it without you!Please visit our Facebook page to see many photos of the day.

Wednesday
12th July

Weekly Couch to 5k Sessions
Following the success of earlier such courses from January to April 2017, Active Nation! organised another FREE 10‑week beginner’s course in running, starting from Wednesday 12th July, in St.James’ Park.

Weekly Boxercise Sessions
As part of the ParkLivesHealthy Living initiative, Active Nation! organised FREE weekly Boxercise sessions at St.James’ Park, combining exercise and boxing using gloves and pads, with a fully trained instructor, starting from Thursday 27th April.

Friday
21st April

Ditch the StabilisersMy Journey organised another FREE cycling course at St.James’ Park for young children aged 3 years and up.

Fridays
7th, 14th,
21st April

Weekly Zumba Sessions
As part of the ParkLivesHealthy Living initiative, Active Nation! organised a series of FREE Zumba taster sessions at St.James’ Park. These sessions proved very popular – FREE Zumba sessions will be held every week until at least July 2017.

Weekly Couch to 5k Sessions
Following the success of two earlier such courses from January to March 2017, Active Nation! organised another FREE 10‑week beginner’s course in running, starting from Wednesday 5th April, in St.James’ Park.

Sunday
12th March

Table Top SaleFoSJP held a Table Top Sale at St.James’ Park, including a tombola, facepainting, a barbecue, and home‑baked cakes for sale, to help raise funds for events in the Park.

Boxercise Session
As part of the ParkLivesHealthy Living initiative, Active Nation! organised a FREE Boxercise session at St.James’ Park, combining exercise and boxing using gloves and pads, with a fully trained instructor.

Weekly Couch to 5k Sessions
As part of the ParkLivesHealthy Living initiative, Active Nation! organised two FREE 10‑week beginner’s courses in running, starting from Monday 9th January and Wednesday 11th January respectively, in St.James’ Park.

Ditch the StabilisersMy Journey organised another FREE cycling course at St.James’ Park for young children aged 3 years and up.

Wednesday
19th October

First Aid CourseFoSJP organised a fully‑accredited one‑day First Aid Course, leading to a 3‑year certificate, at the ParkLife Community Room on Wednesday 19th October.

Sunday
16th October

Dog Show & Family Fun DaySt.James’ Park played host to a Dog Show & Family Fun Day. The dog show awarded prizes for both “fun” and “pedigree” categories, and as well as the show itself, there was a veterinary service on hand, bouncy castles, face painting, a BBQ, a tombola, and more.

ParkLife Café’s 5th BirthdayFoSJP and ParkLife held a Party in the Park to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the ParkLife Café‘s opening in St.James’ Park, with Badge Making, a BBQ, a Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Games, Ice Creams, Stalls, a Tombola, and of course refreshments provided by the Café.

Wednesday
22nd June
& Saturday
23rd July

Autism Events for Young People
Two special events were held at the ParkLife Community Room for young people with Aspergers or High Functioning Autism. Autism Hampshire was asking what it is like being a young person with autism – what’s good and what’s not – everyone who took part was given a voucher to spend at the ParkLife Café.

Thursday
21st July

Ditch the StabilisersMy Journey organised another FREE cycling course at St.James’ Park for young children aged 3 years and up.

Charity Quiz Night
A mixed bunch of FoSJP supporters, friends, and family attended a Quiz Night at Shirley Parish Hall, organised by our Community Volunteer Coordinator, Marina Murphy, and her helpers. A very well‑attended event, with the buzz of enthusiastic and tightly contested quizzers fighting it out for first place, it was a great and fun way to raise over £300 for FoSJP funds.

Ditch the StabilisersMy Journey organised another FREE cycling course at St.James’ Park for young children aged 3 years and up.

Saturday
20th February

Disney Experience
A fun half‑term event for children was held in the ParkLife Community Room, including a Fancy Dress Competition with prizes for best girl/boy costumes, Arts & Crafts, and Face Painting.

Youth Sports & Games Club
Another session of FoSJP’s fortnightly sports and games club for young people aged 6 – 12 years old.This was the last session of this series, which started in October 2014, but we hope to organise similar activities starting in Spring 2016.

World Record Rounders
An attempt was made to set an official World Record for the most participants in a game of rounders. To accommodate as many people as possible, the event was held atSouthampton Outdoor Sports Centre rather than St.James’ Park.We believe that the record was successfully set, but we’re awaiting official confirmation (which might take several months).

Saturday
22nd August

Youth Sports & Games Club
Another session of FoSJP’s fortnightly sports and games club for young people aged 6 – 12 years old.

FREE Dog MicrochippingDogs Trust organised a FREE dog microchipping session at St.James’ Park, with a free gift for all dog owners who had their dogs chipped on the day.For more information about dog microchipping, visit www.chipmydog.org.uk or call 020 7837 0006.

Bastille Day Picnic at St.James’ Park
The Histoire de Francophone society invited everyone to help them celebrate La Fête Nationale by joining them for a Giant Picnic in St.James’ Park, with support from FoSJP and ParkLife.“Merci à tous et celles qui sont venus au pique‑nique aujourd’hui! Nous avons fait de bonnes rencontres!”

Great British Tennis Weekend
The Great British Tennis Weekend visited St.James’ Park for a weekend of FREE tennis and coaching for people of all ages and abilities, including junior and adult coaching and mini‑tennis for the very young.

2013 click here to hide events from 2013

Saturday
14th December

Bike Doctor at the Park
The first in a series of monthly bicycle repair service sessions at St.James’ Park, courtesy of My Journey. Mince pies were on offer to the first Bike Doctor clients, and the police were on hand to advise on how to register your bike to guard against theft.

EU Art in the Park – EU Welcome Photographic Exhibition
The ParkLife Community Room at St.James’ Park welcomed more than 40 talented photographers from the EU Community to exhibit their work for two weeks, with a mix of moody portraiture, atmospheric scenes of the New Forest and beyond, vivid wildlife, and quirky street characters forming a 60‑image exhibition and rolling digital display.Pavel Baran and Dave Adcock from EU Welcomeworked with ParkLife and FoSJP to engage members of Southampton’s newest communities in the life of the Park.
The exhibition was officially opened by the Mayor of Southampton in a special preview evening on Friday 30th August, there was face painting for children on Saturday 31st August, local Polish band Ez Way performed under the Gazebo on Sunday 1st September, and the ParkLife Café‘s menu had a European flavour throughout the exhibition.This exhibition was funded by Lankelly Chase as part of the project that aims to widen participation in the Park.

Coxford and District Youth Project – Fundraising Quiz
The Coxford and District Youth Project held a Fundraising Quiz at Shirley Parish Hall, with support from FoSJP and ParkLife.
Despite the beautiful sunny evening outside, some 90 people turned up to take part in a great evening. The ParkLife Café paid for, cooked, and served up the food. A raffle was held, and there was a Bring and Buy cake stall, a Weigh the Cake competition, and a jewellery stall; a total of £670 was raised to further the Project’s work with local young people.

Easter Trail
FoSJP organised an Easter Trail in St.James’ Park over the Easter Weekend, with entry forms available for a small fee at the ParkLife Café, clues hidden around the Park, and a small prize for all completed entries.

Diwali Week
St.James’ Park celebrated Indian culture by hosting events at the time of the Hindu festival of Diwali.
On Tuesday 13th, free henna painting was available and the ParkLife Community Room was open for people to pop in to make Rangoli patterns and listen to the story of Diwali.
On Saturday 17th, hundreds of people came to the ParkLife Café and its surroundings, which were alive with the sound of Indian drumming and dancing alongside Diwali‑themed crafts, marking the Festival of Lights.

Jamie’s Playtime
A series of free activities for babies, toddlers, and children about to start school, on Monday afternoons throughout the Summer.

Wednesdays
& Saturdays:
25th Julyto
1st September

Cardio Tennis
Throughout Summer 2012, Cardio Tennis sessions were held twice a week at the tennis courts in St.James’ Park, on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, at a discounted price of just £2 per session.

Shirley Schools Centenary – Thank You Teas
Following the successful Shirley Schools Centenary celebration evening and exhibition, the FoSJP History Research Group was invited to Shirley Infant School and Shirley Junior School for “Thank You” teas.

Saturday
7th July

The BIG Event
An estimated 2000 visitors poured into St.James’ Park to join FoSJP’s celebration of the first anniversary of the re‑opening of the Park.

Saturday
16th June

Shirley Schools Centenary – Summer Fair
The FoSJP History Research Group helped organise an extensive exhibition at the Shirley Schools Centenary Summer Fair of the history of the schools through the ages.

Free Bicycle Checks & Repairs
At St.James’ Park, in association with a Jamie’s Playtime session organised by Sure Start at the same time at nearby Ashby Centre, Stratton Road.

Sunday
1st April

Family Fun Sports Day
FoSJP teamed up with local professional coaching company Team Spirit to present a FREE family sports fun day at St.James’ Park. Activities on offer included football, athletics, tennis, dance, fun team games, a skill zone, speed shot, and a free kick competion with prizes.

FoSJP Gardening Team
Raking and clearing the North bank by Winchester Road, to prepare for restoration of the Local Floral Nature Reserve.

Wednesday
25th January

FoSJP Gardening Team
The team’s first practical session – a “Big Dig” in the planting area below the heritage frieze, to turn over and improve the soil in preparation for planting it up later this year.

Thursday
12th January

FoSJP Gardening Team
The first meeting of the FoSJP Gardening Team.Visit our Gardening Team page for more details.

Mondays:
9th Januaryto
26th March

Make Do and Mend
A series of craft and sewing classes: Spring term.Visit our Make Do and Mend page for details

2011 click here to show events from 2011

Sunday
4th December

Shirley Heritage Project – Autumn 2011 Public History Talk #3“Always a Tram in Sight”
Speaker: Jeffery Pain
The history of trams in Shirley and Southampton, part 2, following November 2010’s popular presentation.

Friday
2nd December

Upper Shirley Learning Community – Christmas Event & Trust LaunchSt.James’ Park hosted the Upper Shirley Learning Community’s Christmas event and launch of theUSLC Trust. There were musical performances – choirs and orchestra – from each of the USLC schools and Taunton College’s community band; entertainment was provided by a juggler, a princess, and a suspiciously large reindeer; fairy lights lit up the park; and free hot food, courtesy of the Trust’s sponsors, was served from theParkLife Café.

Sunday 6th November

Shirley Heritage Project – Autumn 2011 Public History Talk #2“Andrew Barlow, Brewer and Benefactor”
Speaker: Madge Heath
The life of Andrew Barlow of the Barlow and Ellyett Homes, Church Street, Shirley.

Mondays: 31st Octoberto12th December

Make Do and Mend
A series of craft and sewing classes: Autumn term.Visit our Make Do and Mend page for details.

Sunday
2nd October

Shirley Heritage Project – Autumn 2011 Public Talk #1“Art in the Park”
Speakers: Anna Vickers, Don Smith, Michaela Lawler‑Levene
An illustrated talk showing how memories of Shirley Recreation Ground from the 1920s onwards have been represented in the new art in St.James’ Park.

Salisbury Big Band
St.James’ Park was swinging in the afternoon sunshine as an estimated 200‑strong crowd enjoyed listening to the Salisbury Big Band play classic tunes from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Henry Mancini, George Benson, and others.

Saturday
13th August

St.James’ Park TourPart of Southampton’s Over 50’s FestivalPictured here are some of the guests who attended FoSJP’s guided tour of St.James’ Park, as part of the Over 50’s Festival.
The tour focused on the social and military history of the park, local people’s park memories, and the recent restoration and improvement works that were funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Southampton City Council.
The tour ended with a welcome cup of tea in the new ParkLife Café.

Mondays:
19th Julyto
22nd August

Jamie’s Playtime
A series of free activities for babies, toddlers, and children about to start school, on Monday afternoons throughout the Summer.

Saturday
16th July

Play in the Park!An event in the Park to celebrate its re‑opening after the restoration and improvement works.
An afternoon of fun activities, culminating in the Mayor of Southampton officially declaring St.James’ Park to be re‑opened after a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Wednesday
6th July

St.James’ Park Re-opens!
Not an organised event, but the day that the fencing came down for the “soft” re‑opening of St.James’ Park after the restoration and improvement works from July 2010 to July 2011.

Sunday
22nd May

Foyes Corner Community FestivalFoSJP attended this year’s Foyes Corner Community Festival. The FoSJP History Research Group showcased Local History, and we also served refreshments, with all proceeds going towards setting up our new community café, the ParkLife Café.We’d like to thank the Co‑operative Group who very kindly donated £300 worth of vouchers towards our refreshments for this event.

Thursday
5th May

Friends of St.James’ Park AGM
Including presentations from Mike Smith, Managing Director of ParkLife, and Anna Vickers from the Media Workshop on our Art for the Park project.

“St.James’ Park in World War II”University of Southampton student project
A group of students from the University’s History department presented the results of their research on the history of St.James’ Park during World War II.

Saturday
8th May

“Shirley Remembers”Memories of World War II and VE Day 1945
The Shirley Heritage Project marked VE Day by hosting a “Shirley Remembers” afternoon Shirley Parish Hall.

2009 click here to show events from 2009

Sunday
6th December

Shirley Heritage Project – Public Talk #3“The Rescuers – Women and Philanthropy in the 19th Century”
Speaker: Dr Jane McDermid“Charity begins in a Home – The Charitable Buildings around the Park”
Speaker: Mary South

Jamie’s Playtime
Another series of free activities for 0 – 5 year olds in the Park, on Monday afternoons throughout the Summer.See here for more information.

Sunday
19th July

The Big Lunch
FoSJP joined forces with neighbours of the Park to have a fun-filled lunch in the Park, as part of a simultaneous lunch event across Britain, where the local community was invited to “bring and share” a lunch.